Question Period Note: Support for Inland Fisheries / Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation

• Similar to the rest of the fishers across Canada, the inland fishers are eligible for the a suite of financial support measures in place to support Canadians, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for fishers who have lost their income due to COVID-19 or exhausted their Employment Insurance benefits. Additional benefits are available for fishing enterprises including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Business Credit Availability Program, and the Canada Emergency Business Account.
• Also similar to much of the industry across Canada, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation is facing a considerable downturn in product demand.
• While the Corporation operates at arm's length from the Department, I have been informed it will continue to fulfill its legislated mandate in the Northwest Territories to buy all fish offered for export.
• We also understand the Corporation will continue to operate as a licensed fish buyer in the open market environments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, buying fish when it has orders to fill.
• We are working with all stakeholders to address challenges head-on and we continue to explore all options to ensure that the fish and seafood industry has necessary support available to weather this storm.

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